Virgin Galactic planning an astronaut campus in New Mexico

SIERRA COUNTY, N.M. (AP) — Aerospace and area journey firm Virgin Galactic introduced Tuesday that it’s planning to construct an astronaut campus and coaching facility in southern New Mexico.

Firm officers mentioned in a press release that it has secured land for the ability exterior Reality or Penalties close to the placement of Spaceport America.

They mentioned the deliberate facility will embrace coaching amenities, lodging, tailor-made experiences, an observatory, wellness middle and eating possibility and it’ll solely be obtainable to future astronauts of Virgin Galactic and a few of their visitors.

There’s no rapid phrase on when building of the undertaking will start.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the following chapter of Virgin Galactic’s continued funding in New Mexico,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham mentioned in a press release Tuesday. “The brand new astronaut campus in Sierra County will spur additional financial exercise for New Mexico, creating extra native jobs and attracting new guests and spending to the world.”

Final month, Virgin Galactic introduced it had chosen the Phoenix suburb of Mesa as the location the place it is going to assemble its subsequent class of rocket ships with the ability able to producing as much as six spaceships per yr.

Officers mentioned the Delta class suborbital spaceplanes will probably be designed to fly weekly, supporting the corporate’s goal of 400 flights yearly from Spaceport America.

They mentioned the primary of the spaceships is predicted to start out payload flights in late 2025 with non-public astronaut flights in 2026.

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